President Obama meets Mexican President Felipe Calderon's family including their golden retriever on April 16, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Press secretary Robert Gibbs announced that President Obama and First Lady Michelle will host a state dinner on May 19 for Mexican President Felipe Calderon and First Lady Margarita Zavala de Calderon during a two-day state visit. It will be the Obamas’ second state dinner – and the first put on by Julianna Smoot, who starts her new job as social secretary on Monday. Gibbs announced the upcoming event at the Thursday briefing–held outside on a warm day in the Rose Garden.

“Lastly, want to announce that in recognition of the deep ties and strong relationship that President Obama has forged with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, President Obama and the first lady will host President Calderon and the Mexican first lady in a White House — at the White House for a state dinner on Wednesday, May 19th,” Gibbs said.

“The dinner will take place in the context of an official visit by President Calderon, during which the president will have an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with President Calderon, including economic competitiveness, our growing security cooperation, clean-energy opportunities, immigration and other key issues.”

First Lady Michelle Obama greets Mrs. Margarita Zavala de Calderon, the First Lady of Mexico, in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House, Feb. 25, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

In addition, First Lady Michelle will visit Mexico City, Mexico, April 13-15, on her first solo official trip as First Lady. Mrs. Obama’s international agenda will amplify the President’s commitment to advancing mutual interests, mutual respect and mutual responsibility between nations and peoples around the world.